reportage photographers

*eadaoin · 27-06-2009 09:32AM #1

hi everyone, i'm wondering if anyone has details of reportage photographers in the kilkenny/munster area?

i've been looking around for a while but haven't found someone i really would like yet. i'm not interested in the usual staged kind of photos where everything and everyone is set up, i've always felt it was a bit forced and i don't really want photos that look like that. i've seen one or two reportage photographers on the net but again their photos just seem a little staid and traditional to me!

the kind of photography i'm thinking of is something like from this blog: http://onelovephoto.typepad.com/ relaxed and unique

i've been going back on forth on whether to have a photographer or not for a long time (i'm getting married next may). as someone who is interested in photography myself i guess i'm probably being very specific about what i want and also i'm not interested in paying the ridiculous fees that they ask for here in ireland, i would much rather not have an official photographer than feed the greed of people who sqeeze as much money out of weddings as they can, i feel like this about lots of aspects of my wedding - can you tell i'm in recession mode lol. my fiance and i are lucky enough to have jobs but we have had our pay eaten into a lot this year and there may be more cuts in the future so we are looking around a lot and thinking hard about the sums we are spending

i hope this doesn't sound too much like a rant, i just want to be as honest as i can in the hopes of finding someone i really like, i have no problems paying a fair price for a good quality service that i really like

PCPhoto · 27-06-2009 09:52AM

reportage style is easy to do for a wedding - I dont do weddings - but have done some as favours and its reportage style.... literally shoot everything that moves.

(just my opinion) ideally what you would want is a mix of reportage and formal (for the obvious family pics)..... you could try approaching some local newspaper photographers and ask if they would be interested....negotiate a fee and set of ideal pics to get - after that the photographer has carte blanche.

I know some people that will do it in Dublin - I know one or two photographers who might do it for you in Cork ....not sure if they would be interested in travelling.

Do you have a budget ? at a guess I would say €1000-€1500 minimum..... but if negotiated properly you would get most of the pics taken on the day. a friend of mine did something similar for his wedding in Sicily - paid a photographer €1000 to just photo everyone and do some formal pics..... I was there as a guest but brought a camera and both bride and groom said the off-the-cuff stuff that I did made my pics better than the "official" photographer......I'm sure they were happy with his stuff too.:rolleyes:

theres a couple of wedding photographer websites which will give you an idea of the style of photographer and what you can expect to get from the photographer. (ie. images on CD or just prints)

cavangirl21 · 27-06-2009 09:56AM

Hi there,
try vince tully. He is based in Cavan but travels. Did my friends wedding and will hopefully do mine too when the great event happens! Nice guy, very reasonable.

PCPhoto · 27-06-2009 09:58AM

oh.... PS. Congrats on engagement and impending marriage !!!

"marriage is an institution ....... I'm not ready to be institutionalised !!! "

*eadaoin · 27-06-2009 10:19AM

thank you both for your helpful replies

had a look at vince tully, he's not really what i'm looking for, but thanks. his work is too traditional for my tastes!

PCPhoto thanks for your advice. i think you're right about the mix of formal and reportage, it would be good to have the usual family pics as a record. if you can give me any names, websites or places i can see sample work of people you know in the business i'd really appreciate it! send me a PM if you like. i have been trawling the web but not found anyone i'd really like to hire yet, maybe i'm being too fussy?

i'm not really willing to spend more than €1000 to be very honest with you, i think that's plenty for one days work! and ideally i would like to get the files on disc rather than an album so that i can choose and print (and possibly edit) what i want myself. jaysus i think i'll probably just end up taking the photos myself i'm feeling like such a control freak about it lol!

texanman · 27-06-2009 10:28AM

I think Philip Bourke is an excellent reportage photographer. Check out his site.
http://www.philipbourke.com/

MJOR · 27-06-2009 05:42PM

Brian Terry

mikeanywhere · 30-06-2009 06:44PM

I cover Ireland and can go down that far without any problems.

PM your email address and I will touch base offline.

pippins · 30-06-2009 07:37PM

I would recommend David McClelland, he does reportage photography and is very very good. Not expensive and gives you a coffee style allbum (I did not want a traditional album) and all your photos on a cd that you can print from yourself, think his basic package is E1200. Fantastic guy to deal with!

MimiQ · 30-06-2009 11:05PM

Hi,
Try Roger Kenny
www.rogerkenny.ie
he is a reportage specialist and works nationwide
MiMi

Cameraman · 03-07-2009 04:24PM

*eadaoin wrote: »

thank you both for your helpful replies
i'm not really willing to spend more than €1000 to be very honest with you, i think that's plenty for one days work!

It's a common misconception - but for most photographers, it's anything but 1 days work. For me, it's usually 4-5 days (give or take a little depending on the circumstances).

The other interesting thing is the photographer whose work you linked to. I also like her style and photos.
Her package prices are $2900-$5800. Albums in addition to that are $800 to $2500. Draw your own conclusions.

sweetie · 03-07-2009 04:47PM

Have a chat with Niall Fennessy, I think he would suit your needs.

http://www.niallfennessyphotography.com/

*eadaoin · 06-07-2009 06:26PM

thanks everyone for your replies, i'm sorry i'm late replying but i have had no time in the last week to get around to it

i'm afraid i still haven't really found someone i really like, it's not that i simply want a reportage style but i'm interested in artistic shots rather than the traditional ones, vintage inspired, lots of good texture work, shallow depth of field, lots of bokeh, unusual viewpoints and lenses (like ttv or lensbaby shots). perhaps i'm asking for too much, but there's no point in not trying anyway

here's another site to give anyone an idea of what i mean: http://www.simplybloomphotography.com

as for the discussion on price to be very honest i would be ashamed as a photographer to ask for some of the prices that i have been quoted. i know that there can be a lot of processing work but unless the work is incredibly high quality i don't think there is need for those kinds of prices. i know the first link i posted charges quite a lot for her work but that's why i asked if anyone knew someone who doesn't charge the earth.

notmyname79 · 08-07-2009 08:44PM

Try memorylane.ie

Anouilh · 11-07-2009 08:23PM

If you post a link to thread in the Photography Forum the people there will be sure to find the sort of person you need in your area.

bolomore · 21-07-2009 11:33PM

Tread carefully when photographers claim to shoot in a reportage style. More often than not it will be (c)reportage.
A good reportage photographer will want to meet you before the wedding and get to know you and learn who are the really important people in your life. They will then endeavour to get some memorable photographs of your loved ones above all else. A good reportage photographer doesn't just shoot off a couple of hundred shots in the hope of capturing a few good ones.
I would be delighted to discuss shooting your wedding for free. Let me know if you want to discuss this further.

Good luck with the planning and enjoy your day.

laobhaoise · 23-07-2009 11:33AM

Admittedly there'd be a certain amount of risk involved, but have you thought about tapping into recent art/photography graduates?

You'd obviously have to do your homework - vet their abilities by scrutinising college portfolios or other examples of work, maybe a test shoot? - but there's a lot of talent out there and I'm sure those bright young things would be delighted to get material for their professional portfolios and build up a reputation.

Try advertising on college noticeboards or attending final year exhibitions and grad shows. For the reportage angle, maybe the film & broadcasting grads from DIT Aungier St would be up your street.

Also, a fun idea (to supplement the pro pics) is giving disposable cameras to the kids at the reception: keeps them entertained and you get a look at what adults tend to miss (especially after a few glasses of champagne).

On a more general cost-cutting note, try bartering: your professional services in exchange for the photographer's, eg web design or letter writing. Tap into your tradeable skills.

An Bhanríon · 23-07-2009 11:45AM

This may not be what you are looking for, as you seem to be looking for very high quality photographs...

I know people who asked around 4 different guests (people with good cameras who like taking photographs) to take photographs at their wedding. They got some gorgeous natural photos (in my opinion!) and none of the guests felt under too much pressure as they knew there were a few other people taking photos also.

Hope you find your dream photographer!

bolomore · 31-07-2009 12:50PM

Please be careful when you look for a reportage photographer. More often than not it will end up more like (C)reportage.
Even on one of the posts, some guys states it's easy, just shoot everything! Don't fall for that. If one were to take this advice, simply ask everyone who attended the wedding to get you a copy of their pics, you'll end up with the same thing.
What you should be looking for is someone who will get candid photos of the people that matter to you. They need to sit down and have a chat, find out who these people are. Even when doing (good) reportage you still need quality, good composition to get meaningful shots. You'll only get one chance to do this, do it right and enjoy it.
Don't hesitate to contact me if you feel it may help.

doozerkk · 03-08-2009 05:50PM

Try
www.photographybymichelle.ie

bolomore · 03-08-2009 09:49PM

I have actually seen her work. If it's who I'm thinking of her work is adaquate. Won't win any awards though.

SalthillGuy · 06-08-2009 12:05PM

Hi,
I've been told that Cathal Tiernal in Galway is excellent and he travels the country - http://www.ctexcelphoto.ie
A friend used him for her wedding and she was very impressed.

AlasPoorYoric · 06-08-2009 12:52PM

Try www.studio22ireland.com nice guy to deal with!

megna · 10-08-2009 07:37PM

What do you think about http://www.brosnanphotographic.com/category/blog/

gemsan · 14-08-2009 10:03PM

try Philip Leonard www.leonard-photo.com - we booked him for his relaxed style but he does mix in some formal as well - has done two weddings of friends of mine recently and the albums are stunning

Glowing · 15-08-2009 08:54PM

Bartosz Jastal - we've just booked him for our wedding in Italy and his shots are truly amazing!

http://bartoszjastal.dkonto.pl/

CCSL · 23-08-2009 11:19PM

Try Conor Buckley at Refinephoto.net a gent to deal with very flexable and amazing results.
:cool:

Alex13 · 26-08-2009 12:44PM

www.rorykellettphotography.com

Paul_Hacket · 28-08-2009 07:52AM

I have a lot of sympathy with the original poster's question about finding photographers who shoot natural looking, journalistic type shots. I co-own a wedding photography studio in the US (got the greencard about 10 years ago and moved here) and it's appalling to witness the myriad of sins masked by people who represent themselves as doing 'candid' or 'photojournalistic' work. I personally love this style and it's the way we shoot weddings at our studio but it is REALLY difficult to do this well, it takes a ton of skill and experience. I would say that barely 10% of the photographers who market themselves in this way are professionals who have the technical or artistic ability to shoot weddings in this style. That might sound harsh but if you look beyond the veneer of the "highlight" images on their websites, that's the reality.

It's well known in the industry that this kind of photography is what sophisticated customers want, and the sophisticated customer tends to be the one who values photography enough to actually pay a professional rate for it. Remember, all it takes to call yourself a wedding photographer these days is a fancy looking digital camera and a flashy website. After that the formula seems to involve going out and shooting a bunch of weddings for free, or practically nothing, taking thousands of shots and hoping that you get a dozen or so half-decent ones which you will then manipulate the hell out of in photoshop so that you can go online and market yourself as a 'professional' wedding photographer. That's where we are right now and I would say to any bride booking a wedding shooter to vet the bejasus out of prospective photographers.

If you want some tips on how to choose a professional who won't screw up your big day (remember, you don't get a second chance to take these photos) then I'd humbly suggest you consider the following:

(1) ask to see COMPLETE galleries of previous weddings, not just a couple of "highlight" shots from each wedding.

(2) Can the photographer make the bride look good? Look for nice close-up shots showing the bride's face. Arty shots of the bride taken from behind or silhouetted against a bright window are great but it's the photographer's job to make you look the very best you can and to capture some of your personality/emotion on the day.

(3) When looking at the portraits, most of the shots should not look posed or artifical. Do people look relaxed in the shots? As if they've been caught in some moment or emotion? Or do they look like they were told to "stand over there, now look this way" etc? Be critical when evaluating this because the ability to do this is what makes a genuine photojournalist.

(4) Ask to see shots taken indoors at night, entirely lit with artificial light. These will sort out the men from the boys as just about anybody can shoot outdoors during the daytime. Look for exciting, lushly colored shots of people dancing to fast songs. Photographers who can capture atmosphere and movement at nighttime in a dark reception room and still make the shot look great are on the top of their game.

(5) Look for plenty of shots with richly saturated but non-fake looking colours. Watch out for tacky photoshop processing and cheesy effects, artificially colored skies, etc. Good photographers very rarely do that crap.

Hope the above doesn't come off as judgmental, I just think that couples have a right to get a competent professional if they're paying a professional rate and there really are a lot of cowboys out there these days. And by the way you should pay a photographer a professional rate, most good ones will spend the best part of a week editing and retouching your photos in order to really make them shine.

August10 · 28-08-2009 09:25AM

Completely agree - you should post that in weddingsonline for some brides to read - over there the cheapest is always in demand with usually no regard for quality.

I can second rory kellett he did our wedding and you get what you pay for.

*eadaoin · 02-09-2009 12:03PM

thanks everyone for all the links, i finally found someone on a reccomendation who is just what i'm looking for: http://aspectphotography.net/index.html

he has offered us a great deal, yes it's over €1000 but i'm happy to pay because i really love his work, he's a high quality photographer & has great artistic talent, a unique portfolio and i actually think that it's worth it. i can't believe the prices some photographers ask for work that is much lower quality and quite repetitive! i've seen the same kind of wedding shots over and over. an relative of mine who got married over 10 years ago looked at her wedding photographers website and saw that this person was still taking the exact same photos with the wedding party or bride in the exact same poses 10 years later! i know the irish market is somewhat traditional but i think it's a bit ridiculous to be repeating the same shots over and over.

anyway, he gave us a great deal and impressed us both with his fantastic attitude and approach to his work. and he's also going to do some unusal work for me with lomography and lensbaby which makes me very happy!

Paul your post on wedding photographers is really excellent, these are all important things that should be taken into consideration and i don't think it sounded judgemental at all. it's important to make sure you're getting good quality for the price that you're being asked to pay

thanks a million for all the replies and PMs but i'm happy now with who i've chosen

reportage photographers

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